More than a holiday: The luxury superyacht that doubles as a science lab

By Sheena McKenzie, for CNN

Updated 1432 GMT (2232 HKT) October 1, 2012

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Meaningful escapes – The RV Pegaso is a 73.6 meter superyacht boasting a fully-equipped, cutting edge marine laboratory big enough to house a team of 12 scientists.

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Science on the seas – A view of Pegaso's laboratory area on the main deck -- fitted with a range of technology that allows the on board team of scientists to do everything from tracking endangered marine life to studying water pollution levels.

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Dicovering the deep – The research vessel is equipped with a five-person submarine. Weighing 14 tons, it is the world's only privately owned diver-lockout sub, according to its management company, allowing divers to enter and leave underwater via different chambers.

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Unchartered territory – The sub has standing room of 1.8meters and can travel to 170 meters under water, allowing guests to explore at depths few have ventured before.

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Dive right in – The vast array of diving equipment on board includes a machine that produces high-quality oxygen -- allowing trained guests to dive deeper, longer and safer.

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Sky is the limit – Catering for the superyacht elite, RV Pegaso also boasts a helicopter landing pad. The on board decompression chamber is heli-portable, should a diver need to be transported to hospital in an emergency.

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Offering something more – The owner, an accomplished diver and advocate of ocean preservation, wanted to design a boat which would unite luxury travel and significant scientific research.

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Creature comforts – Along with cutting edge scientific facilities are all the luxury comforts you'd expect from a superyacht. Boasting six double bedrooms, the number of scientists is dependent on the number of guests on board.

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Opulent research – "When we do trips with our clients, they still like wonderful meals, they still like massages, they still like the luxury of living aboard a superyacht," says Sean Dooley of the Ocean Preservation Alliance.

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Photos:The superyacht that's a science laboratory

Luxury exploration – According Alex Flemming, CEO of Marine Pegaso, the yacht's management company, anybody can rent a superyacht in the south of France, drink champagne and have a lovely time but, he says, "suddenly people are going: 'Hang on a second, I can go somewhere and do some good.'"

Story highlights

Marine scientists on board conduct research, from tagging species to monitoring water

Part of a growing trend of meaningful expeditions, rather than hedonistic getaways

Research vessel includes superyacht comforts such as cinema, spa, helicopter pad

A recently built superyacht suggests that at least some wealthy holiday makers are demanding more from their sailing trips than just exotic islands and sun-drenched sea decks.

The 74-meter RV Pegaso comes with the usual roster of flat-screen TVs, designer furniture and en-suite bathrooms, but a closer inspection reveals that it also doubles as a fully-fledged floating laboratory.

Indeed, Pegaso's "RV" designation stands for "research vessel", and the boat is equipped with a five-man submarine, a decompression chamber for deep sea diving and a small team of marine biologists.

Alex Flemming is the chief executive of the yacht's managing company, Pegaso Marine. He explains that anyone who charters the yacht can have as much or as little involvement in the research as they like, with the one condition that they always allow a group of scientists to travel with them.

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"The historic perception of the superyacht set is the south of France, drinking champagne and having a lovely time," he said. "But suddenly people are going: 'Hang on a second. I can go somewhere further afield and be a part of something bigger.'

"This is about getting the most out of time and also feeling as though they're doing some good," he added.

According to Sean Dooley of the Ocean Preservation Alliance (OPA), the boat is owned by an accomplished diver and marine preservationist who wishes to keep his identity private.

"This is his fourth vessel. He'd already been yachting for 15 years and traveled around the world twice," claimed Dooley. "It was at that point he said: 'Let's do something different.'"

The boat's original dining area was converted into a lab and fitted with scientific equipment capable of everything from tagging endangered marine life to monitoring water pollution levels.

As well as the decompression chamber, the vast array of diving equipment on board RV Pegaso includes a machine that produces high-quality oxygen -- allowing trained guests to dive deeper, longer and safer.

Such experiences can be transforming. Dooley recounts the journey of a guest aboard a similar research vessel in the Socorro Islands, just off Mexico, who helped scientists tag giant manta rays in an effort to track their migration patterns.

The vital data was packaged into a video that the guest then presented to the president of Mexico.

"He was able to help conduct important research that will have a lasting impact. And as he kept telling us, this was the best trip he'd ever had," said Dooley.

But all this worthy enterprise does nothing to distract from the luxury embellishments at hand on RV Pegaso.

True to its owner's vision of combining high-level research with opulence fit for a sultan, guests who are not otherwise tagging hammerhead sharks or monitoring the breeding habits of whales, can enjoy comforts that include an eight-person spa pool, bar, cinema, gym and extensive observation lounge.

"When we do trips with our clients, they still like wonderful meals, they still like massages, they still like the luxury of living aboard a superyacht," said Dooley.

"But we've got a whole other layer of richness you just can't get from your average superyacht."